5 Things to Know Before Election Day

We could be in for an early night ... or the total opposite
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 3, 2014 6:44 AM CST
5 Things to Know Before Election Day
Tomorrow's the big day.   (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

We're a day away from Election Day. Here are five things to know about what's expected, what to watch, and what's being said.

  1. All eyes are on the Senate, where Republicans need six seats to gain control. USA Today deems 10 races "still close enough to hold the key to which party holds power." But it notes the potential for runoffs in Louisiana and Georgia could mean it could be weeks—or even 2015—before we know who comes out on top.
  2. Or it could just be hours. Politico Playbook says sources on both sides say we could be in for an "EARLY night." It points to two "harbingers": North Carolina (polls close at 7:30pm) and New Hampshire (last polls close 30 minutes later). In the former, if Thom Tillis ousts Democrat Kay Hagan, it predicts the GOP will very likely score the six seats it needs. In New Hampshire, if Republican Scott Brown unseats Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, it's another sign the GOP will triumph.

  1. How might the Democrats stay on top? If the GOP loses in Kansas and Georgia, Politico points out they'd need to win eight, rather than six, seats, making for a steeper hill to climb.
  2. But as the Wall Street Journal puts it, "the GOP heads into Tuesday's balloting with a breeze, but not a strong wind, at its back." This is based on a WSJ/NBC News poll that found that 46% of likely voters want to see a GOP-led Congress, compared to 45% hoping for Democratic control.
  3. The House is getting much less attention, with Republicans expected to hang on to control. But USA Today notes one thing to watch: whether the GOP will reach 245 seats. If it does, it would be its biggest majority since Harry Truman was president. Here are five fascinating races to watch there.
(More Election 2014 stories.)

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